WHOA. This was labeled as "Regency Fashion," but WHOA.

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sold by Vintage Textile #2746. c1800 Directoire-period cotton gauze dress. The sheer cotton mull fabric (muslin) of the dress bears little resemblance to modern (USA not UK) muslin. Originally made only in India, "muslin" (c.1800) referred to a variety of cloths woven from very finely spun cotton yarns. The resulting cloth was transparent and gauze-like. The dress features a bib front bodice held in place with a pin on each side. (The pins in the pictures are not original to the period)

C1800

View of back regency dress sold by Vintage Textile #2746. c1800 Directoire-period cotton gauze dress. The sheer cotton mull fabric (muslin) of the dress bears little resemblance to modern (USA not UK) muslin. Originally made only in India, "muslin" (c.1800) referred to a variety of cloths woven from very finely spun cotton yarns. The resulting cloth was transparent and gauze-like. The dress features a bib front bodice held in place with a pin on each side. (The pins in the pictures are not original to the period)

Court Dress: ca. 1810-1820, velvet trimmed with metallic lace. Sold by Christies. Per Christies: "This dress may have been worn by Sarah Otway-Cave, 3rd Baroness Braye. Her husband, Henry Otway, died in 1815. The colour of the dress suggests that the lady was a widow. The luxuriousness of the velvet and the expense of the silver and gold laces suggest a lady of some considerable style and substance."

Another character Drawing, in the dress of a child's Governess in the home of people of quality. Caraco of Indian taffeta, with matching petticoat, the whole trimmed in box pleats of the same material; sabot-cuffed sleeves, having a head of gauze resembling short manchettes or bonshommes.

A Most Beguiling Accomplishment: Galerie des Modes, 7e Cahier, 6e Figure (1778). Caption & long description translated by @Cassidy. "Child's governess in the home of People of Quality... Another character Drawing, in the dress of a child's Governess in the home of people of quality. Caraco of Indian taffeta, with matching petticoat, the whole trimmed in box pleats of the same material; sabot-cuffed sleeves, having a head of gauze resembling short manchettes or bonshommes. Large muslin apron..."

The Empire fashions at the turn of the 19th century were often little more than sheer nightgowns. The practical solution to the discomfort of lighter clothing was to simply adopt the warm undergarment called pantaloons, already worn by men. Women's pantaloons were made of light stockinet in a flesh toned nude colour and reached to just below the knee, or even all the way to the ankles. This is why Empire women often appear to be wearing no underwear when seen in paintings of the era.